Basketball

DETROIT (AP) — Khris Middleton scored a season-high 34 points against the team that drafted him, and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Detroit Pistons 126-117 without Giannis Antetokounmpo on Monday night.

The showdown between MVP front-runners fizzled Monday when Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid was ruled out against the Nuggets and star Nikola Jokic because of a sore right calf. “He's been complaining about it.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Five years felt like 50.

NEW YORK (AP) — Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has avoided a one-game suspension for now after the NBA rescinded his 16th technical foul Monday.

DETROIT (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks won’t have All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo or Jrue Holiday available for their Monday night game with the Detroit Pistons. The Bucks released an injury report Monday that listed both players as out for the game.

CLEVELAND (AP) — For the first time since LeBron James left them a second time, the Cavaliers are a playoff team again.

Charlotte Hornets (25-51, 14th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (37-38, 10th in the Western Conference) Oklahoma City; Tuesday, 8 p.m.

Houston Rockets (18-57, 15th in the Western Conference) vs. New York Knicks (42-33, fifth in the Eastern Conference) New York; Monday, 7:30 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Knicks -12.5; over/under is 230.

Chicago Bulls (36-38, 10th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (39-36, fifth in the Western Conference) Los Angeles; Monday, 10:30 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Clippers -5.

Dallas Mavericks (36-39, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (33-42, 11th in the Eastern Conference) Indianapolis; Monday, 7 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Pacers -1.